E-ACT North Birmingham Academy has become the only secondary school in Birmingham to receive a rare 'exceptional' rating from Ofsted under the new inspection framework. The inner-city Erdington school was praised for its "trailblazing" methods in maintaining high attendance rates, which have remained above the national average despite the school's location in one of the more deprived areas of the city.
Exceptional Attendance and Behaviour
Inspectors noted that "attendance is very high when compared with the national average for all pupils" and that the school has "sustained these exceptional standards of attendance over time." The school's behaviour standards were also commended, with inspectors stating that "suspensions are very low" and bullying is rare.
New Ofsted Grading System
The new Ofsted grading system, launched earlier this year, allows schools to be rated across multiple areas rather than receiving a single overall grade. Only a handful of schools in the region have earned the 'exceptional' tag since the overhaul. The achievement is particularly notable given that better schools are often expected in wealthier areas such as Sutton Coldfield or Edgbaston.
Leadership Recognition
School leaders were commended for their trailblazing approach to maintaining high standards. According to the report, the school's consistent performance in attendance and behaviour sets a benchmark for other schools in similar contexts.
